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Oliver was diagnosed with neuroblastoma before he turned two years old. For the next 13 months, he inspired with true strength and grace, smiling through some of the harshest treatments imaginable. Our goal is to continue his fight, funding research to give hope to tomorrow’s brave warriors.
2025
$26,346
Funds Raised in 2025
2024
$30,320
Funds Raised in 2024
$343,736
Total Funds Raised
Since 2019

The Story Behind This Hero Fund

In June of 2017, we heard the words that no parent ever wants to hear: your child has cancer.

Oliver was our happy, chubby little 15 month old. He was our 4th child, and had made our family complete. His siblings doted on him, and we vowed to soak in every second of his baby years. Instead, in the middle of a family road trip, we found ourselves in a literal fight for his life.

Oliver was diagnosed with Stage IV, High Risk Neuroblastoma. It was a nasty diagnosis, with survival rates of less than 50%, and awful long term side effects for those lucky enough to make it through the treatment.

We moved our family 1,000 miles from home to get him the best treatment we could. He endured 9 rounds of chemo, a dozen surgeries (including a massive 27-hour resection in his abdomen), a bone marrow transplant, and more than 150 overnight stays in the hospital. On top of that were countless scans, needle pokes, infection scares, and hours upon hours of clinic days.

Through it all, Oliver amazed everyone around him with his perseverance. He kept getting knocked down, and he kept getting back up. Fighting cancer is an indescribable drain on a family, and we found ourselves counting on Oliver’s laughter to pull us through the roughest times. It was an unfair expectation of any toddler, much less one fighting for his life, but the burden never seemed to bother him. He carried us through it all. Our brave little guy fought valiantly, but it was never a fair fight.

On July 18, 2018, we lost our precious Ollie.

We decided that day that we would do whatever it takes to help other kids avoid the same fate. We are going to try to repay him for his strength, and carry his memory in the way he deserves. We are raising money to find cures, and to give hope to other kids that will face the same fight.

Please support me with a donation to Oliver’s Hero Fund at the St. Baldrick's Foundation. This volunteer-driven charity funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers.

Highlights & Happenings

  • What You Should Know About Childhood Cancer

    Childhood cancer affects thousands of kids and families around the world every year. This infographic shows a few realities you should know.
  • What is Neuroblastoma?

    Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the nerve tissue outside of the central nervous system. Learn more about it here.
  • Our 2016 Donors

    Your Support Means So Much

    These friends and family members helped us raise funds for childhood cancer research in honor of Oliver Wells! See the 2019- 2024.

Photo Gallery

Funding in Action

Donations given to The Oliver Wells Fund for Neuroblastoma Research have funded a a St. Baldrick's Scholar Grant for Hunter Jonus, Ph.D., a St. Baldrick’s Fellow Grant for Marc Schwartz M.D., Ph.D. and St. Baldrick's Scholar Extension Grant for Saurabh Agarwal, Ph.D. 

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is guided by a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprised of leading experts in the childhood cancer community, to ensure that every dollar makes the greatest impact for kids with cancer.

Donate

Who's Involved

These people make us smile - they're the doers and money-raisers on behalf of The Oliver Wells Fund for Neuroblastoma Research. They're shaving their heads, hosting events, starting fundraisers and more to make childhood cancer research possible.

Thank You to Our 2025 Donors

$25,000–$49,999

  • Wells Family Giving Fund In Memory of Gagen Hedrick

$250–$499

  • Bill Bowers

$100–$249

  • Denise Stack In Honor Of Matt Bowers
  • Lonny & Cathy Wells In Memory Of Oliver Wells
  • Lonny & Cathy Wells In Memory Of Gagen Hedrick
  • Sophia Knehans
  • Sarah Schafer

$1–$99

  • Shanna Sims In Memory Of Gagen Hedrick
  • Teresa Garr In Memory Of Gagen Hedrick
  • matthew gibson In Memory Of Ollie Wells
  • Bri Hodge
  • Jeremy Fite
  • Travis Parsons
  • David Roy
  • matt larson
  • Jennifer Jones
  • Bridgette Wells
  • Gerry Mitchell
  • Scott Marcee

Get Involved Your Own Way

  • Create An Event

    Start your own St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event to support our Hero Fund! A dedicated staff member will guide you every step of the way—and you’ll have fun doing something great for kids with cancer.

  • Be a Shavee

    Register to shave your head and support our Hero Fund at any St. Baldrick’s event worldwide! No event nearby? Go virtual and shave anytime, anywhere.

  • Start a Fundraiser

    Not into head-shaving? No problem! Start a fundraiser for our Hero Fund doing something you love—bike a marathon, host a bake sale, anything goes!

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Private events are for people at the company, organization, school, etc., where the event is taking place.